Sous Chef

convene; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Generous PTO

Job summary

Convene Hospitality Group at Willis Tower seeks a skilled Sous Chef to lead our culinary team in high-volume meeting and event spaces. You will drive menu execution, manage daily kitchen operations, and deliver outstanding dining experiences for diverse events.

The role requires 3+ years of kitchen management, a culinary degree or certificate, and strong cost controls. Fine dining experience is highly desirable, with opportunities for growth and collaborative menu development.

Qualifications

• A.O.S. degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate.
• Minimum 3 years progressive culinary/kitchen management experience.
• Fine dining experience highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining budgeted food cost and inventory planning.
• Lead daily kitchen operations and ensure quality and presentation.
• Develop menus and contribute to seasonal specials.
• Maintain knowledge of menus, recipes, and pertinent information.
• Participate in cost savings initiatives and training programs.
• Support FOH teams and uphold sanitation standards.

Skills

High-volume catering

Menu development

Food quality & presentation

Leadership

Cost control

Sanitation

Education

A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

Job description

Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) operates a global portfolio of lifestyle brands focused on creating places and experiences that bring people together. The company designs, develops, and operates hospitality-driven destinations to host gatherings of all kinds, ranging from small corporate meetings to immersive brand activations and beyond. We love bringing people together in person, and that passion for great experiences extends to our employees as well. If you're interested in creating inspiring moments of connection, consider joining our team.

Convene is seeking a talented Sous Chef to join our culinary team at Convene Willis Tower. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, you will play a key role in driving menu execution, leading daily kitchen operations, and delivering high-caliber dining experiences across our meeting and event spaces.

What You'll Do:

• This position requires experience in high-volume environments with a focus on presentation and conference style catering. As a Sous Chef, you will be responsible for assisting in maintenance of budgeted food cost, ordering, menu development, sanitation and overall food quality and presentation, as well as assisting in daily ordering and inventory.
• Maintain full knowledge of menus, recipes, and other pertinent information
• Participate in company-wide cost savings initiatives
• Cooperate with implementation of cooperative training programs
• Display passion for increasing knowledge of the culinary field through collaborative development and curation of menus and specials
• Responsible for constant sanitation, organization, and proper food handling
• Cultivate a kitchen environment conducive to learning and growth opportunity through a pattern of hands‑on leadership skills inclusive of the ability to delegate and follow up

What We Look For:

• A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate and required experience
• Minimum 3 years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree of training
• Fine dining experience highly desirable
• Knowledge of café operations is a plus
• Extensive catering including high volume, complex foodservice operations experience desirable
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Must be experienced with modern technology, to include MS Office suite, Outlook, and a variety of internal systems and programs that facilitate our F&B standards
• Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities inclusive of following up with front of house teams
• Leading pre-shifts and recurring property leadership meetings
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull and place objects weighing less than or equal to 30 pounds without assistance
• Reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping
• Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time
• Operate common kitchen equipment

Compensation:

The above job definition information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.

Base Salary :

• Salary Min: $70,000
• Salary Max: $80,000

This role is also eligible for Convene's annual incentive performance bonus plan.

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

We're Here For You:

• Health & Wellness: Day‑one health coverage for you and your family, 24/7 virtual care, emotional well‑being support, and fertility & family planning benefits. Because your well‑being matters, inside and outside of work.
• Time Off & Balance: Generous PTO, your birthday off (because, of course!), paid parental leave, and a year‑end holiday closure to recharge.
• Financial Growth: 401K with company match and support for education, courses, and certifications. We invest in you so you can grow personally and professionally.
• Development & Recognition: Ongoing career growth opportunities plus recognition programs to ce